EMMA FARNES
Here are the booklets I know of from Emma Farnes' published series. Reviews are of the books of the series that I own. I have the complete set! She published during the 1910's and -20's, and was a crochet Designer. I collect her for the few tatting patterns, which happen to actually be Anna Valeire's work - they shared a publisher and there are hints that they were friends. Books "B", "E" and "I" are the only ones with tatting in them. She published during a time period where there was a lot of competition from other great designers like Anna Wuerfel Brown, Adeline Cordet, Mary Fitch, Sophie LaCroix, Virginia Snow, Anna Valeire, and, of course, the famous Anne Orr - all self-published and master designers of several needlearts.
The Publisher, E.C. Spuehler, was apparently allergic to putting copyright dates on the books he published, so the dates I give are approximate for the designers who published through him.
Becky Clark has done some sleuthing and come up with these biographic details:
Emma Farnes was a pseudonym for Edwin Christopher Spuehler (b. 1878), a publisher in St. Louis, Missouri. Books were published under that name beginning in 1915 and probably into the 1920s. In 1930 Edwin Spuehler was a resident in the Missouri state mental hospital with his profession listed as needle designer. He remained there until at least 1940. He died in 1945 at the age of 67.
Farnes (Emma) pseud. Crochet art for milady’s lingerie. Yokes, caps and including towels. [St. Louis, Mo., Valley supply co., 1916] 19 p. illus. 4to. $0.10. [23629
© Dec. 23, 1915; 2 c. and aff. Aug. 26, 1916; A 438318; Edwin C. Spuehler, St. Louis.
-CATALOG of Copyright entries, 1916
Note that this entry references Valley Supply Co., another company also in St. Louis that used Adeline Cordet as a pseudonym.
Pix
Bibliography Entries
Crochet Art For Milady's Lingerie, Book No. A, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915)
Notes: 19 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
Alphabets in Crochet & Tatting, Book No. B, by Emma Farnes (TPB/Sprlbnd:1915,2014reprint)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO/Iva Rose Vintage Reproductions; ISBN: None;
Fifteen New Crocheted Yokes, Book No. C, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915?)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
New Large Filet Designs: Door Panels & Original Picture Designs, Book No. D, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915?)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
New Crochet & Tatting Designs in Caps, Collars & Jabots, Book No. E, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1920?)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
The tatting in the Farnes books Nos. "B" & "E" was contributed by her contemporary Anna
Valeire, whose books were also published by Mr. Spuehler
Edges & Corners, Book No. F, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915?)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
Antique Design for Spider In Many Varieties, Book No. G, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915?)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
Fourteen Filet Crochet Sweaters, Book No. H, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915ish)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
Baby's & Child's Needlework Crochet Tatting Knitting Sewing, Book No. I, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1915ish)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
Loveliness in Lingerie, Book No. J, by Emma Farnes (TPB:1920ish)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: EC Spuehler Co, St. Louis, MO; ISBN: None;
These are all crochet and filet crochet patterns
